A GROUP of campaigning parents, fighting a decision to refuse their children places at their nearest primary school, were delighted this week to find out that the youngsters can now start there in September.

As reported in The Gazette last week, the 12 families were appealing against the decision by Hampshire County Council to refuse their children a place at popular Burnham Copse Primary School, in whose catchment area they live.

The school, in Newchurch Road, Tadley, has 200 pupils, and can take 30 new children each year. Some of those refused places were already attending a pre-school in the school grounds.

But because Burnham Copse was oversubscribed for September this year, the families, who live in Baughurst, were all instead given a place at Bishopswood Infant School in Barlows Road, Tadley.

However, following a campaign, the county council has now performed a U-turn, and offered all 12 families a place for their children, as well as four others who live in the catchment area, but did not appeal.

Councillor Roy Perry, the county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, confirmed that extra places had been offered to children in the catchment area as there was now space for them.

He added: “The school will need to organise an extra class for their incoming September 2011 reception children. The school is able to adapt an existing room at the school so no extra accommodation is needed.”

Pippa Astbury, who moved house to Woodlands Road, Baughurst, so her four-year-old son Luke could attend Burnham Copse, said the news was obviously welcome.

She said: “I don’t think we could have stamped our feet any louder. It’s just so nice now that they can walk to school.”

The 32-year-old would have faced an hour’s walk to Bishopswood school, but now she will be able to walk with Luke to school in 15 minutes.

When Burnham Copse Infant and Junior schools amalgamated in 2008, the number of new admissions was reduced from 60 to 30.

Parents believe the county council should have prepared for the high number of children born in Tadley in the same year, and increased the places.

Toni Cooper, of Long Grove Road, Baughurst, said she was relieved that her four-year-old son Oliver has been given a place without her having to sit through an appeal hearing.

The 24-year-old added: “I don’t drive and Bishopswood is over two miles away. It’s a massive relief.

“The stress it’s caused is ridiculous. We had to apply the best part of a school year in advance so they would have been aware of the high numbers well in advance. They had time to sort it out.”

Marion Woodhouse, a 37-year-old nurse from Forest Close, added: “We are thrilled. We got an e-mail from Mrs Downes (headteacher at Burnham Copse) who has been very supportive. She told me the news.”